The influx of money and investment in Shenzhen has created a somewhat seedy atmosphere in the city. This is particularly prevalent in the evenings, when the city's gambling dens, "massage parlors" and bars are filled with moneyed men and young Chinese girls. This kind of atmosphere can be fun at times but unfortunately it is more often a bit threatening and tasteless. Crime is fairly rife here and most criminals come out to play in the dark, so make sure you keep your wits about you. There are therefore, very few places to actually recommend for drinking and dancing in the city but the bars in the larger hotels such as the Grand View Hotel and the Shangri-La Hotel, generally attract a nicer crowd. There is also a good Hard Rock Cafe here on East Shennan Rd.

Shenzhen does however, offer some good sports and daytime recreational activities.There are numerous sports clubs,tennis courts, swimming pools, holiday villages and magnificent golf clubs including Guanlan Golf Club and Honey Lake Holiday Resort. Most of these recreation parks are very well equipped and provide good service and equipment.

Night owls won't be disappointed with Shenzhen's bar scene. Although a lot of the locals choose to socialize and drink in restaurants, the city has a huge number of bars and clubs to discover.

There are a lot of clubs (where you might even spot a Hong Kong celebrity or two) in Luohu District but Shekuo, in Nanshan District, is the best place for a bar crawl. Shekuo is where most of Shenzhen's foreign expats live and, therefore, is well serviced with pubs and clubs.

If you don't feel like making the hike over to Shekuo, the bar strip next to the Citic City Plaza, in Futian District, is a good option. There are five or six bars here all of which have both outdoor and indoor seating.

Shenzhen's bars and clubs have an interesting blend of local, Hong Kong and Western flavors. Compared to other cities in China, prices tend to be a little high but it is possible to find good deals.